872 Transactions.— Botany. 
So far from this, I feel convinced that with due attention, proper cultiva- 
tion, and suitable manuring, a higher percentage will be obtained than from 
those which the past season’s growth has furuished us with ; and should a 
factory be established for the conversion of beet-sugar, I believe the true 
economy of procedure would be in the purchase of roots at a fixed rate per 
ton, with an additional schedule price for every degree of sugar above a 
minimum, a practice which works beneficially amongst some of the German 
factories ; especially would this be the case in the colonies, where the 
higher price of labour would naturally lead us to seek for the maximum 
of sugar from a minimum of root. It is not within the scope of this paper 
to dilate upon the value to this district should such an industry find a home 
amongst us, but the benefits would be so great and varied, while the returns 
which I have now brought before you give so large a promise of success, api 
I hope the early future may find such an establishment situated where it 
would be most profitably worked—in the centre of the Waikato district— 
where soil, temperature, and the absence of sea air proclaim its fitness iol 
the growth of the beet; and to show the results of a factory in full working 
order, I will conclude by reading the result of eight years’ working of the 
North German Sugar Company, as extracted from their books by Mr. G. 8. 
Graham :— 
35 Se Siete eee 
Beetroot. Quantity 
Quantity of | Percentage of manipulated per 
Process.| Year. Beetroot. Sugar. Dividend. ey 
Cwts. 
2 \| 1870-71 | 208,575 9-13 32 ,/° 1,400 
53 1871-72 | 128,680 | 9:29 30 5, 
m 
mz 
— = || 1872-73 274,595 9°00 24 ,, 
a 1873-74 328,035 9-00 5 
3 1874-75 194,370 10-37 ee 
g 1875-76 | 356,410 9-08 otk 5; 
| 
= 1876-77 303,825 9-54 24 
z | 
1877-78 357,630 11-00 Not ascertained 
